Dragons of Flame (module)
Encyclopedia
Dragons of Flame is the second module in the first major story arc in the Dungeons & Dragons
Dragonlance
series of game modules
. It is one of the 14 Dragonlance adventures
published by TSR
between 1984 and 1986. Its cover features a painting by Jeff Easley
depicting Tasslehoff Burrfoot
peering in on a red dragon and Verminaard of the Dragonarmies of Ansalon.
Kapak Draconians make their debut in this module; Aghar and Baaz Draconians from Dragons of Despair
return as featured creatures. Locations featured in this module are Qualinost and the Sla-Mori, a secret passage between Qualinesti and Pax Tharkas.
The same player character
s (PCs) from Dragons of Despair are available again, with their character sheets reflecting that they have each increased a level from the previous adventure. Tika becomes a playable character at the end of chapter six, and Gilthanas, a new character, becomes playable at the end of chapter eight. Laurana, who becomes a playable character in DL6 Dragons of Ice
, makes her debut in this module.
, the players reenact the Dragonlance story using the pre-generated players. The player character
s return to their hometown and find it overrun by evil; the elves of Qualinost hire them to free captives that the Draconians have imprisoned in the fortress of Pax Tharkas. In Dragons of Flame, the brave Innfellows are suffering thanks to the Draconians, and require aid in the beleaguered North Lands before setting off to rescue an enslaved population. When the adventure starts, Solace has been captured by Kapak Draconians. The dragon armies control the plains, but Qualinesti isn't conquered. Plainsmen are being taken by caravan to Pax Tharkas as slaves.
Chapter 5 – Que Kiri and the Plains
A short set of encounters on the plains and the ruins of Que Kiri show the effects of the dragon armies as the PCs travel back to Solace from Xak Tsaroth, where they finished Dragons of Despair. There is also an encounter to ensure the PCs are captured and taken to Solace if they head in another direction.
Chapter 6 – Solace
The PCs see the devastation at Solace, and are arrested in the Inn of the Last Home along with Tika and Gilthanas.
Chapter 7 – The Slave Caravan
As slaves being transported to Pax Tharsis, the PCs meet Gilthanas, and are rescued by elves.
Chapter 8 – Elvenhome
The elves, polite but aloof, update the players on the start of the war and suggest that they and Gilthanas should free the slaves and hostages in Pax Tharsis. Laurana is introduced for the first time, and soon after is kidnapped by Fewmaster Toede.
Chapter 9 – To the Walls of Pax Tharkas
The heroes and Gilthanas, who becomes a PC, travel overland for a day, then enter and traverse Sla-Mori, the secret passages that lead into the fortress of Pax Tharkas.
Chapter 10 – The Tharkadan Towers
In a section of Pax Tharkas, the heroes must find and rescue all the children, women, and men who are being held prisoner in different locations. Besides all the draconian or hobgoblin guards, they must avoid two ancient red dragons and dragon highlord Verminaard.
, et al., featured art by Jeff Easley
, and was published by TSR in 1984 as a thirty-two page booklet with an outer cover.
No. 73. Swan praised the module for its vivid and non-stereotypical characterizations, challenging and engaging encounters, and well-crafted storyline. He does note that "The story is so tightly scripted that occasionally players may feel more like observers than participants", and cautions that Dungeon Master
s (DMs) will need to stay alert to keep the players on track. However, he concludes by stating that "If you've given up on Dungeons & Dragons, Dragons of Flame is a great way to get reacquainted."
In a review by Graham Staplehurst in the July 1985 issue of White Dwarf
, the module was given a rating of 7 out of 10 overall. The review contains suggestions for the DM on how to handle various rules changes and run this style of adventure, where the game is more restrictive than normal, to keep the players within the story. Staplehurst said "anyone thinking of running the whole of the DragonLance saga should bear in mind the potentially confining feeling that is part and parcel of this series" and "it's debatable how close this is to the original concept of role playing". He felt that while "The players will have to adapt to fit the characters rather than the other way round ... the authors have tried to develop the characters in a realistic manner". Staplehurst said the modules provide plenty of thrills once players settle into their roles, and opined that there are two ways of looking at these adventures: "They may be used by inexperienced players to get involved and experienced in the game (despite the fact that it is somewhat non-standard AD&D), or they represent a detailed world for players of long-standing to immerse themselves in." He felt that with around twenty-four pages of text, an area map, three detailed location maps, and plenty of good art, purchasers would get their money's worth, although he could not imagine anyone wanting to use certain repeated information and extras, such as a song and poem. Staplehurst concluded the review by noting that "the players are treated as idiots if they do anything but the stated actions and though this may be a useful trick for less experienced players, it is extremely frustrating when DMing and players come up with a potentially intelligent suggestion or plan only to have to shoot it down because it 'doesn't fit the story'". He felt that players should have been allowed more options from which to choose.
that was released in 1989. The game is a sequel to Heroes of the Lance and like it, is arcade
oriented, with few RPG elements. This module has also been converted into a Neverwinter Nights
adventure, requiring both the Hordes of the Underdark
expansion pack and the original game.
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
Dragonlance
Dragonlance
Dragonlance is a shared universe created by Laura and Tracy Hickman, and expanded by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis under the direction of TSR, Inc. into a series of popular fantasy novels. The Hickmans conceived Dragonlance while driving in their car on the way to TSR for a job application...
series of game modules
Adventure (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, an adventure or module is a pre-packaged book or box set that helps the Dungeon Master manage the plot or story of a game...
. It is one of the 14 Dragonlance adventures
Dragonlance modules (DL series)
The DL Dragonlance modules are a series of adventures and some supplementary material for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role playing game. These modules along with the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy of novels, which follow one possible adventure series through the modules, were the first...
published by TSR
TSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
between 1984 and 1986. Its cover features a painting by Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley is an oil painter who creates fantasy artwork in the tradition of Frank Frazetta.-Early life:...
depicting Tasslehoff Burrfoot
Tasslehoff Burrfoot
Tasslehoff Burrfoot is a fictional character of the kender race from the Dragonlance series of novels, written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. He was born in Kendermore. His parents are unknown and he has few known relatives. He has a sister, and also claims to have an Uncle Trapspringer...
peering in on a red dragon and Verminaard of the Dragonarmies of Ansalon.
Kapak Draconians make their debut in this module; Aghar and Baaz Draconians from Dragons of Despair
Dragons of Despair
Dragons of Despair is the first in a series of 16 Dragonlance adventures published by TSR, Inc. between 1984 and 1988. It is the start of the first major story arc in the Dragonlance series of Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game modules, a series of ready-to-play adventures for use by Dungeon...
return as featured creatures. Locations featured in this module are Qualinost and the Sla-Mori, a secret passage between Qualinesti and Pax Tharkas.
The same player character
Player character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
s (PCs) from Dragons of Despair are available again, with their character sheets reflecting that they have each increased a level from the previous adventure. Tika becomes a playable character at the end of chapter six, and Gilthanas, a new character, becomes playable at the end of chapter eight. Laurana, who becomes a playable character in DL6 Dragons of Ice
Dragons of Ice
Dragons of Ice is the start of the second major story arc in the Dungeons & Dragons Dragonlance series of game modules. It is one of the 14 DL modules published by TSR between 1984 and 1986...
, makes her debut in this module.
Plot synopsis
Continuing from the previous module, Dragons of DespairDragons of Despair
Dragons of Despair is the first in a series of 16 Dragonlance adventures published by TSR, Inc. between 1984 and 1988. It is the start of the first major story arc in the Dragonlance series of Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game modules, a series of ready-to-play adventures for use by Dungeon...
, the players reenact the Dragonlance story using the pre-generated players. The player character
Player character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
s return to their hometown and find it overrun by evil; the elves of Qualinost hire them to free captives that the Draconians have imprisoned in the fortress of Pax Tharkas. In Dragons of Flame, the brave Innfellows are suffering thanks to the Draconians, and require aid in the beleaguered North Lands before setting off to rescue an enslaved population. When the adventure starts, Solace has been captured by Kapak Draconians. The dragon armies control the plains, but Qualinesti isn't conquered. Plainsmen are being taken by caravan to Pax Tharkas as slaves.
Chapter 5 – Que Kiri and the Plains
A short set of encounters on the plains and the ruins of Que Kiri show the effects of the dragon armies as the PCs travel back to Solace from Xak Tsaroth, where they finished Dragons of Despair. There is also an encounter to ensure the PCs are captured and taken to Solace if they head in another direction.
Chapter 6 – Solace
The PCs see the devastation at Solace, and are arrested in the Inn of the Last Home along with Tika and Gilthanas.
Chapter 7 – The Slave Caravan
As slaves being transported to Pax Tharsis, the PCs meet Gilthanas, and are rescued by elves.
Chapter 8 – Elvenhome
The elves, polite but aloof, update the players on the start of the war and suggest that they and Gilthanas should free the slaves and hostages in Pax Tharsis. Laurana is introduced for the first time, and soon after is kidnapped by Fewmaster Toede.
Chapter 9 – To the Walls of Pax Tharkas
The heroes and Gilthanas, who becomes a PC, travel overland for a day, then enter and traverse Sla-Mori, the secret passages that lead into the fortress of Pax Tharkas.
Chapter 10 – The Tharkadan Towers
In a section of Pax Tharkas, the heroes must find and rescue all the children, women, and men who are being held prisoner in different locations. Besides all the draconian or hobgoblin guards, they must avoid two ancient red dragons and dragon highlord Verminaard.
Publication history
Dragons of Flame was designed by Douglas NilesDouglas Niles
Douglas Niles is a fantasy author and game designer. Niles was one of the creators of the Dragonlance world and the author of the first three Forgotten Realms novels, and the Top Secret S/I espionage role-playing game.-Early life:Niles was born in Brookfield, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, and...
, et al., featured art by Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley is an oil painter who creates fantasy artwork in the tradition of Frank Frazetta.-Early life:...
, and was published by TSR in 1984 as a thirty-two page booklet with an outer cover.
Reception
Rick Swan reviewed the adventure in The Space GamerThe Space Gamer
The Space Gamer was a magazine dedicated to the subject of science fiction and fantasy board games and role-playing games. It quickly grew in importance and was an important and influential magazine in its subject matter from the late 70s through the mid-80s...
No. 73. Swan praised the module for its vivid and non-stereotypical characterizations, challenging and engaging encounters, and well-crafted storyline. He does note that "The story is so tightly scripted that occasionally players may feel more like observers than participants", and cautions that Dungeon Master
Dungeon Master
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Dungeon Master is the game organizer and participant in charge of creating the details and challenges of a given adventure, while maintaining a realistic continuity of events...
s (DMs) will need to stay alert to keep the players on track. However, he concludes by stating that "If you've given up on Dungeons & Dragons, Dragons of Flame is a great way to get reacquainted."
In a review by Graham Staplehurst in the July 1985 issue of White Dwarf
White Dwarf (magazine)
White Dwarf is a magazine published by British games manufacturer Games Workshop. Initially covering a wide variety of fantasy and science-fiction role-playing and board games, particularly the role playing games Dungeons & Dragons, RuneQuest and Traveller...
, the module was given a rating of 7 out of 10 overall. The review contains suggestions for the DM on how to handle various rules changes and run this style of adventure, where the game is more restrictive than normal, to keep the players within the story. Staplehurst said "anyone thinking of running the whole of the DragonLance saga should bear in mind the potentially confining feeling that is part and parcel of this series" and "it's debatable how close this is to the original concept of role playing". He felt that while "The players will have to adapt to fit the characters rather than the other way round ... the authors have tried to develop the characters in a realistic manner". Staplehurst said the modules provide plenty of thrills once players settle into their roles, and opined that there are two ways of looking at these adventures: "They may be used by inexperienced players to get involved and experienced in the game (despite the fact that it is somewhat non-standard AD&D), or they represent a detailed world for players of long-standing to immerse themselves in." He felt that with around twenty-four pages of text, an area map, three detailed location maps, and plenty of good art, purchasers would get their money's worth, although he could not imagine anyone wanting to use certain repeated information and extras, such as a song and poem. Staplehurst concluded the review by noting that "the players are treated as idiots if they do anything but the stated actions and though this may be a useful trick for less experienced players, it is extremely frustrating when DMing and players come up with a potentially intelligent suggestion or plan only to have to shoot it down because it 'doesn't fit the story'". He felt that players should have been allowed more options from which to choose.
Adaptations
Dragons of Flame was adapted into a video game of the same nameDragons of Flame (video game)
Dragons of Flame is a video game released in 1989 for various home computer systems and consoles. It is a sequel to Heroes of the Lance. It is based on the second Dragonlance campaign module, Dragons of Flame, and the second half of the first Dragonlance novel Dragons of Autumn Twilight...
that was released in 1989. The game is a sequel to Heroes of the Lance and like it, is arcade
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
oriented, with few RPG elements. This module has also been converted into a Neverwinter Nights
Neverwinter Nights
Neverwinter Nights , produced by BioWare and published by Infogrames , is a third-person perspective computer role-playing game that is based on third edition Dungeons & Dragons and Forgotten Realms rules. It was originally to be published by Interplay Entertainment, but the publisher's financial...
adventure, requiring both the Hordes of the Underdark
Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark
Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark is an expansion pack for the role-playing video game Neverwinter Nights produced by BioWare and published by Infogrames Entertainment...
expansion pack and the original game.